A90277:65
Of Temptation
Of temptation the nature and power of it. The danger of entering into it. And the means of preventing the danger. With a resolution of sundry cases thereunto belonging, / by John Owen, D.D.Of temptation the nature and povver of it. The danger of entring into it. And the meanes of preventing the danger. With a resolution of sundry cases thereunto belonging, / by John Owen, D.D.
Oxford: printed by H. Hall for T. Robinson, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. It is not to be conquered by a temptation; to fall down under it; to commit the sin or evil that we are tempted to, or to omit the duties that are opposed. A man may enter into temptation, and yet not fall under Temptation. God can make a way for a man to escape, when he is in, he can break the snare, tread down Satan, and make the soul more than a Conqueror, though it have entered into temptation: Christ entered into it, but was not in the least foiled by it, but
3. It is not to be conquered by a temptation; to fall downe under it; to commit the sinne or evill that we are tempted to, or to omit the duties that are opposed. A man may enter into temptation, and yet not fall under Temptation. God can make a way for a man to escape, when he is in, he can breake the snare, tread downe Satan, and make the soule more than a Conquerour, though it have entered into temptation: Christ entered into it, but was not in the least foyled by it, but
4. It is, as the Apostle expresseth it. 1 Tim. 6. 9. [Greek or Hebrew]; to fall into Temptation; as a man falls into a pit, or a deep place, where are gins, and snares, wherewith he is entangled. ⟨p. 21⟩The man is not presently killed, and destroyed, but he is entangled and detained: He knows not how to get free, or be at liberty: so it is expressed again to the same purpose, 1 Cor. 10. 13. no temptation hath taken you: it is to be taken by a temptation, and to be entangled with it, held in its cords, not finding at present a way to escape. Thence saith Peter 2 Ep. 2. 9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptations: They are entangled with them, God knows how to deliver them out of them. When we suffer a temptation to enter into us, then we enter into temptation. Whilst it knocks at the door, we are at liberty; but when any Temptation comes in, and parlies with the heart, Reasons with the mind, entices and allures the affections, be it a long or a short time, do it thus insensibly and imperceptibly, or do the soul take notice of it, we enter into Temptation;